Analysis of the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation induced by oral disease via a cAMP target molecule Epac

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K10305
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57080:Social dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Tsurumi University
• Principal Investigator: Suita Kenji 鶴見大学, 歯学部, 助教 (90569542)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔疾患 / 心房細動 / cAMP / Epac

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between oral diseases and atrial fibrillation (AF), one of the most prevalent arrhythmias, using mouse model of oral disease. Occlusal disharmony, which is caused by increasing the vertical height of occlusion by 0.7 mm for 2 weeks, induced the remodeling of atrial tissue, and increased the susceptibility to AF by chronic activation of sympathetic nervous system. In acute phase after occlusal disharmony induction, there was a significant decrease of cardiac function and an increase of early mortality in Epac (exchanged protein directly activated by cAMP)1-knockout mice as compared to wild-type mice. This result suggested that occlusal disharmony may affect the cardiac homeostasis via Epac1-mediated signaling.

Free Research Field

生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、AFのリスクファクターとして知られる高血圧、糖尿病、肥満、睡眠障害などの症状を緩和することがAF治療戦略の重要な柱の１つと考えらえている（Circulation 136, 583-596, 2017）。本研究によりAF予防法ならびに治療法としての口腔保健の重要性がさらに明確になり、国民健康寿命の延伸を目的とした歯科検診や診療の推進運動に貢献できるものと期待される。